Seniors Get Lowdown on Dementia

Thirty Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club participants were enlightened about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at their May 9th luncheon meeting at the Office for the Aging’s “Spa Ritz” meal site at the Sharon Springs Firehouse. 

Ann Thayer, community lead for the Leatherstocking Region (Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties) of the Northeastern New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, presented some truly valuable information to the seniors in attendance. The chapter offers support to anyone facing Alzheimer’s, including advocates for the needs and rights of those facing dementia, as well as working toward methods of treatment, prevention and ultimately a cure.

Ms. Thayer indicated that typical age-related memory loss may be sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. However, a common sign of Alzheimer’s disease in its early stage is forgetting recently learned information, important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over and increasingly relying on memory aids.

Dementia is a general term used for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. In fact, there are more than 426,500 individuals in New York State living with Alzheimer’s.

By learning more about this, Seniors were empowered to know more and even be able to spot those tell-tale signs within themselves or even friends. The more you know, the more you can do. 

If you have any questions, concerns, or are interested in having an Ann Thayer speak to your organizations, she can be reached at (607) 206-4514 or at athayer@alz.org

Area seniors interested in more information about the Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club schedule and activities should contact Anne Lennebacker, president, at (607) 547-9055.